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DAR STEPS UP DIPLOMACY, ENGAGES IRAN, NORWAY AMID REGIONAL TENSIONS
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Tuesday, 5 May, 2026 | 17 Dhul-Qadah, 1447
Rs 20.00 | Vol XVII No 40 | 8 Pages | Karachi Edition
g DAR-ARAGHCHI TALKS FOCUS ON
g NORWAY BACKS PAKISTAN’S PEACE
g COORDINATED MONITORING ENSURES
g HIGH-LEVEL REVIEW CONFIRMS ADEQUATE
MEDIATION AND REGIONAL STABILITY
ENERGY SECURITY, DAR INFORMED
EFFORTS, INVITES DAR TO OSLO FORUM
FUEL STOCKS AMID GLOBAL PRESSURES
iranian sailors return home via pakistan after uS release in confidence-building move ISLAMABAD
Staff CorreSpondent
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ISLAMABAD Mian abrar
EPUTY Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday led a series of highlevel diplomatic and policy engagements, underscoring Pakistan’s proactive role in regional peace efforts while ensuring domestic energy stability amid global uncertainties. In a late-night telephonic conversation, Dar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi discussed the evolving security situation in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Pakistan’s ongoing mediation efforts. Araghchi appreciated Islamabad’s constructive diplomatic role, especially
its facilitation of engagement between Iran and the United States during a period of heightened tensions. Pakistani officials have consistently emphasised that backchannel diplomacy remains active despite complex geopolitical dynamics. Dar reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to dialogue-driven solutions, stressing that sustained engagement is essential to de-escalate tensions and achieve durable peace in the region and beyond. Separately, Dar received Norway’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik in Islamabad, where both sides exchanged views on regional developments and global security challenges. Kravik expressed Norway’s support for Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and mediation initiatives, acknowledging Is-
Pakistan Navy assists Indian crew from distressed vessel in Arabian Sea RAWALPINDI
Staff report
The Pakistan Navy has launched a humanitarian rescue operation in the Arabian Sea to assist a distressed merchant vessel, security sources said on Monday. Pakistan Navy personnel are providing emergency assistance to six Indian and one Indonesian crew member aboard the MV Gautam, the security sources said, adding that the vessel was sailing from Oman to India when it developed a technical fault at sea. They said that the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai contacted Pakistani authorities for assistance after the incident. Following the emergency request, the Pakistan Navy deployed a ship of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency named PNS Kashmir to carry out the rescue operation. Security sources said the affected crew members are being provided with food, medical assistance and technical support onboard. They added that the Pakistan Navy remains fully prepared and committed to responding effectively to any emergency at sea. Pakistan Navy has carried out several rescue and evacuation operations in recent years in regional waters, particularly involving distressed merchant vessels and fishing boats, as part of its maritime safety mandate. Earlier in April, Pakistan Navy rescued and evacuated 18 crew members of a merchant vessel operating in the North Arabian Sea after a distress call, the military's media wing said.
Fifteen of 22 Iranian sailors, released by the United States after their vessel was seized, have returned home via Pakistan, marking what officials described as a key confidence-building measure amid regional tensions. According to Iranian state media IRNA, the sailors crossed into Iran through the Rimdan border terminal in Sistan-Baluchistan. Pakistan’s Foreign Office Pakistan confirmed earlier that all 22 crew members of the seized Iranian vessel, MV Touska, had been evacuated to Pakistan before being repatriated in coordination with Iranian authorities. The development follows the interception of the vessel by US forces last month in the Gulf of Oman for allegedly violating a naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports. US Central Command said the ship failed to comply with repeated warnings prior to its seizure. FO spokesperson Tahir Andrabi
lamabad’s role as a facilitator in ongoing efforts to reduce tensions. The Norwegian side also extended an invitation to Dar to participate in the upcoming Oslo Forum, a key global platform for conflict mediation and dialogue. Dar welcomed the invitation, with both sides agreeing to expand cooperation in trade,
said the transfer of the crew to Pakistan was part of a “confidence-building measure,” adding that Islamabad facilitated their safe return and would continue to support diplomatic efforts for regional peace. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also welcomed the move, terming it a positive step and reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to mediation and dialogue between regional stakeholders. The vessel, reportedly linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines, is expected to be returned to its original owners after necessary repairs, officials said. The incident comes against the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been severely disrupted following the escalation of conflict involving Iran, the US and its allies. While Donald Trump has announced plans to assist stranded vessels under a proposed “Operation Freedom,” the situation in the region remains fragile, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to prevent further escalation.
development and multilateral engagement. In parallel with diplomatic engagements, Dar chaired a high-level meeting to assess Pakistan’s petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) stock position, amid volatility in global energy markets.
Continued on page 03
Federal Constitutional Court says verdicts delayed beyond legal limit are unlawful ISLAMABAD
Staff report
The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has held that reserved judgments delivered after the time limit set under the law are unlawful, ruling that superior courts must issue such decisions within the prescribed period. The seven-page judgment was authored by Justice Aamir Farooq in a case arising from a petition filed by the Pakistan Shipping Corporation against a Sindh High Court (SHC) ruling in a pension dispute. In the judgment, Justice Farooq said high courts were required to announce reserved judgments within 90 days. He stated that the rules of the Supreme Court and the high courts have the force of law and that breaches of those rules should carry consequences. The FCC ruled that a judgment announced after the stipulated period could be declared void on that ground alone. It also said judges and court staff were fully bound by procedural rules governing the handling and announcement of decisions. Leak of judgment before
announcement The court further held that even an unintentional leak by members of a bench before the formal announcement of a judgment would amount to a violation of court rules. According to the ruling, the head of a bench may order a fresh hearing if a judgment, or its key points, is disclosed before it is officially delivered. The court said such a rehearing may be conducted either by the same bench or by a newly constituted bench. The FCC also laid down the forum for dealing with such irregularities. It said that in matters concerning high courts, the issue would be referred to the relevant
chief justice. In the Supreme Court, such a matter would be placed before the judges’ committee for action. Court notes growing trend of reserved judgments The judgment observed that there had been an increasing trend of judgments being reserved, adding that litigants often face long waits for the outcome of their cases. The court noted that judgments are generally reserved when judges do not reach consensus or when a case involves legal complexities. The ruling also referred to a case in which the SHC took around 10 months to announce a reserved decision.
Govt plans compensation for One Constitution Avenue apartment owners ISLAMABAD
Staff report
The federal government has decided in principle to compensate owners of apartments in One Constitution Avenue by paying back the amounts they originally paid for their units, with a formal announcement expected after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif grants approval. According to an official notification issued by the Cabinet Division, a high-level committee formed by the prime minister has started examining the legal and administrative dimensions of the matter. The committee is headed by Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar. Its members include Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, as well as the secretaries of the Cabinet Division and the Commerce Division. The body has been assigned to review all related cases, hear the concerns of affected apartment owners and recommend a balanced way forward that addresses grievances while remaining in line with court orders. It is due to submit its report to the prime minister by May 8. Until a final decision is made, the authorities concerned, including the Capital Development Authority (CDA), police and the district administration, have been instructed not to take action against residents. Background of the dispute The controversy is linked to a long-running dispute over the project. In 2005, the CDA allotted 13.5 acres to a private developer for the construction of a fivestar hotel. The company obtained the lease for Rs4.8 billion and was handed possession after paying an initial 15 per cent amount. However, the developer later defaulted on payments, which led to repeated rescheduling and litigation over the years. In 2019, the Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the developer to pay Rs17.5 billion to restore the lease. So far, the company has paid Rs2.9 billion and remains in default by around Rs14.5 billion. As a result, the lease was cancelled in 2023. Officials have also said that the developer built 263 residential apartments at the site in violation of the original agreement. They said transactions continued despite public notices warning buyers that the project was under dispute. Occupancy and recent action At present, 69 of the 263 apartments are occupied, while most of the units remain with investors. Officials said only a small number of the occupied apartments are being used as permanent residences, while many are rented out on a short-term basis. Following directions from the Islamabad High Court, CDA officials, accompanied by police, recently served seven-day eviction notices on occupants in compliance with court orders. Despite the earlier warnings issued in connection with the project, the government has now moved towards compensating affected buyers, indicating a conciliatory effort to settle the long-standing dispute.
'not a nation that bowS'
Bilawal hails Pakistan’s triumph over India in Marka-i-Haq KARACHI
Staff report
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Monday praised what he described as Pakistan’s victory against India during last year’s military confrontation, saying the country had shown it would not yield under pressure. He was speaking at an event in Karachi organised by the Sindh government to mark Marka-i-Haq. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also addressed the gathering. The term Marka-i-Haq is used by the state for the 2025 conflict with India, beginning with the April 22 Pahalgam attack and ending with Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and a ceasefire on May 10. Bilawal, who also served as foreign minister and led a delegation abroad to present Pakistan’s position on the conflict, said the outcome was not solely about military strength. He said, This victory was not the victory of weapons alone. It was a triumph of resolve. It was a triumph of unity and of peo-
ple who refused to kneel. He added, From the mountains of the north to the shores of the Arabian Sea, from the fields of Punjab to the deserts of Sindh and Balochistan, Pakistan stood as one. Bilawal said, We are not a nation that bows before pressure. We are not a nation that compromises its sovereignty. We are a nation that rises again and again, stronger, prouder and more united. Recalling the period of the conflict, he said Pakistan had faced uncertainty a year earlier as tensions escalated along its borders. He said, Our armed forces fought with courage, discipline and honour. Our diplomats defended our position with clarity and conviction, and our brave and resilient people stood firm behind their nation. Bilawal added, Today, we do not merely mark the passage of time. We mark the endurance of a nation. We commemorate not just a victory, but the vindication of the very idea of Pakistan. He also said, The air was thick with fear, speculation, and the designs
of those who believed Pakistan could be bent, broken or bullied. They were wrong. According to Bilawal, success should not be judged by land captured or battles won, but by dignity and sovereignty being protected. He said victory was measured by the message that Pakistan would not be coerced, silenced or made to surrender. He also criticised those outside Pakistan whom he said were trying to reshape the historical narrative, arguing that history was not determined by noise but by nations that endured. Bilawal said Pakistan neither sought confrontation nor celebrated war. He said, But when the test came, we did not falter. We stood our ground not out of aggression, but out of necessity; not out of ambition, but out of duty. This moment demands not arrogance but reflection, not complacency but responsibility. Speaking about the future, he said the outcome of the conflict also placed responsibilities on the country. He said, The burden to ensure that the sacrifices made are honoured not only in
words but in action. […] This means investing in our people, education, health, and opportunity. It means strengthening our economy so that no external pressure can dictate our destiny. It means pursuing peace not as a sign of weakness, but as a reflection
of strength. The former foreign minister said peace had to be just, dignified and mutual. Addressing young people, he said, This victory belongs to you as much as it does to any institution or any individual. You are the custodians of this nation’s future.